I almost always stop at Cook's Meadow and take a picture. I think I'll stop here more often.

Sorry, but it just does not get old. It just doesn't. Actually sat here for 15 minutes enjoying... and then it was 3 1/2 hours hometo the Chick-on Ranch just south of San Jose Airport. (why I state this?) (b/c someone said it took that amount to get to BOF entrance...and I swear I'm usually there in about 3 hrs)

Jack and his wife, Janet, have always welcomed me to Valley View for the past six or seven years. (Unfortunately, I think they've become a bit too friendly and enamored with this location because some visitors enviably will feed them some goodies. Everyone, please remember - don't feed the animals, even the cute ravens that go around begging for food.)

I didn't realize just how much like pigeons they were until last year at Taft Pt.These two hung around pestering each other and trying to get me to givethem a Twinkie. Dodos...Birds are very interesting though. It should be obvious they are incredibly smart(me being a prime example).

On a related note... I wonder out loud how many actually got my humor w/r to the Subject matter.

Ack, I hate it when you guys reply to threads without quoting them. I guess you are using the threaded view, which if I could eliminate anything from forums, it would be that damn format! How can it NOT be easy to simply view it in linear, chronological order??

Quotehotrod4x5
Ack, I hate it when you guys reply to threads without quoting them. I guess you are using the threaded view, which if I could eliminate anything from forums, it would be that damn format! How can it NOT be easy to simply view it in linear, chronological order??

Ack, I hate it when you guys reply to threads without quoting them. I guess you are using the threaded view, which if I could eliminate anything from forums, it would be that damn format! How can it NOT be easy to simply view it in linear, chronological order??

I love thread view, why would you want to view a thread any other way?

eeeeeeeek's other forum... Hot Springs defaults to the one msg, threaded... and I looked there once... and never again.So I understand what you saying... and felt your pain...Highly recommend the change above... then you don't have to quote...

But its' still very hard to find all the new posts using that viewing method. That is what I had originally but switched to the chronological so they would all be at the bottom.

I'm still not fully following the logic of the threaded. Am I supposed to respond to the original question or the post right before mine or what if I am responding to multiple posts? Everyone might have a different answer to those questions so it changes the thread logic. That's why it is easier to just go chrono and it doesn't matter if you hit reply or not.

Quotechicagocwright
But its' still very hard to find all the new posts using that viewing method. That is what I had originally but switched to the chronological so they would all be at the bottom.

I'm still not fully following the logic of the threaded. Am I supposed to respond to the original question or the post right before mine or what if I am responding to multiple posts? Everyone might have a different answer to those questions so it changes the thread logic. That's why it is easier to just go chrono and it doesn't matter if you hit reply or not.

Quotechicagocwright
But its' still very hard to find all the new posts using that viewing method.

See the button at the upper right corner of the screen?

"Recent Messages" right?

I see it but I find it cumbersome to use. That takes you to a page of unread posts. I find it easier to use the main screen in chrono order and threads with unread posts are highlighted in red. Then unread posts within those threads have "New" at the top of them. So I can quickly see on the home page all the threads with unread posts and navigate easily. I think the threaded view assumes everyone is going to use the system the same, respond to posts the same, and that is the only way the logic works well. Someone let me know a few weeks ago I was not responding correctly to posts and it was messing their view up. I'm still not completely sure; especially when you want to respond to multiple posts. I like the idea of using "quoting" when responding to a post that is deeper within the thread--and quoting only necessary parts of the post (e.g. deleting pictures, etc.)

Sorry Chick-On for hijacking your thread. By the way, I chuckled at the "Naked" juice sign also.

Quotechicagocwright
But its' still very hard to find all the new posts using that viewing method.

See the button at the upper right corner of the screen?

"Recent Messages" right?

I see it but I find it cumbersome to use. That takes you to a page of unread posts. I find it easier to use the main screen in chrono order and threads with unread posts are highlighted in red. Then unread posts within those threads have "New" at the top of them.

I use threaded view and use the fact that all unread messages have a red new at the end of the subject line to help me quickly go to the next unread post.

What I do on my browser (Google Chrome) using a keyboard shortcut (⌘F on a Mac) is to search for a string that contains the last character of the subject line+a space+new, so as an example for this particular topic thread since the subject line is "My AWESOME time in Yosemite Valley - April 21-22", I would search for the text "2 new".

This will take me directly to the first unread post. Then I use the keyboad shortcut (⌘G on a Mac) to search again for the exact same string, and that will take me to the next unread post. So I just use then the keyboard shortcut (⌘G on a Mac) to search again to go to the remaining unread posts within a thread.

(Note that very occasionally, this method of searching for an unread post will also take you to an already read post whose text within the post matches your search string. But that does not occur too often.)

Because you then know to whom the person that submitted the new post is replying to. Using your method, you'll see a lot of new posts at the bottom of the page, but you and others then complain about not knowing who was replying to what because some of those new posts don't have quotes of the previous message contained within them. My method avoids that problem.

I'm doing the San Jose Airport to BOF on Aug 16. Will be racing the clock to get our permit before closing (flight lands 11:45). One of the kind fellers heredid say it takes him 3:20 zooming in the wee hours of the AM to get to BOF. Google maps has it at 2:42 for 137 miles.

QuoteBigR
I'm doing the San Jose Airport to BOF on Aug 16. Will be racing the clock to get our permit before closing (flight lands 11:45). One of the kind fellers heredid say it takes him 3:20 zooming in the wee hours of the AM to get to BOF. Google maps has it at 2:42 for 137 miles.

Randy

Me feets may weigh more. Seriously, I don't speed in the park though. And there are a number of sections which are 65mph.And once on the big roads by Manteca... zoom zoom zoomI just looked and the directions Google Maps gave were 156 miles, 3hr 7 mins.I aint pulling your leg... I even took a photo once I got home to get the timestamp.

Anywho... w/r to fuel... I think maybe there is Bait Shop in Manteca that may sell gas.What kind of stove you use? Another option would be... I guess I could throw somefuel in the bear boxes at the TH close to that date.If I think of it I'll stop in the Bait Shop this weekend... it's right on 120. Much quicker than anyother option IMO.

If you need fuel on the way up to Yosemite, there's a Big 5 in Oakdale right on the main thoroughfare. Also, the coffee shop Mountain Sage in groveland on main street sells hiking gear and maps as well as doing gear rentals.

Chick-on, we have Jet Boil stoves and would happy to drop a few twinkies back in the box along with the leftover fuel. We will be taking 120 so if there is aeasy stop that would work as well. I'm hoping for a 12:30 airport depature and a 3:30 total transit time to BOF. Looking for a 6pm trailhead departureand an 8pm camp set-up at Cathedral Lakes. Long first day but the joy getting into Yosemite will sustain us. Been working on this trip since the boyswere lads and we hope to make it a annual event that grows as the families naturally grow.

Sounds like oak has the answer. (Big5 is open til 9pm) I do wonder if Crane Flat Gas Station also carries fuel.No way would I rely on the Tuolumne Meadows store being open still when I got there.Unless those are open very very late. Someone could be a butthead and steal fuel I put in the bear box for you.But I can still do it just in case everything else goes south.(I had someone lock a bear box on me... I got it open with a tire iron... and then left them a really nice note)Give Big5 a call so you can check that worry off your list...

Actually sat here for 15 minutes enjoying... and then it was 3 1/2 hours hometo the Chick-on Ranch just south of San Jose Airport. (why I state this?) (b/c someone said it took that amount to get to BOF entrance...and I swear I'm usually there in about 3 hrs)

I'm doing the San Jose Airport to BOF on Aug 16. Will be racing the clock to get our permit before closing (flight lands 11:45). One of the kind fellers heredid say it takes him 3:20 zooming in the wee hours of the AM to get to BOF. Google maps has it at 2:42 for 137 miles.

Randy

I live about five minutes farther from Yosemite than the San Jose airport. Barring any extended or heavy slow downs – it takes me about 2 hours and 50 minutes (+/- 10 minutes) to reach the Hwy 120 - Big Oak Flat Road Entrance Station averaging within 3 to 7 MPH above the posted speed limit. So the Google estimate in this case I believe is pretty accurate – IF – and it's a pretty big if, you don't encounter any major weekday traffic jams heading over there (most likely to occur on I-580 and I-205) AND you don't get stuck behind too many slow drivers when Hwy 120 becomes just a two-lane rural highway.

One nice thing about Hwy 120 though, is that there are multiple stretches of straightaways on the highway where it's legal and safe to pass the slower moving vehicles if you choose to do so. And to get there in the time estimated by Google, you will probably have to pass these slow drivers, because in all likelihood you'll encounter them multiple times while driving to Yosemite.

(Also to cut off about 5 to 10 minutes in your travel time, be sure to take the Old Priest Grade Road shortcut just as you pass the turnoff to Moccasin. You'll avoid the curviest and slowest stretch of Hwy 120 by doing so.)

Still, you're cutting it real close. Based on what you posted on the other thread, I think you're being far too optimistic about the time it will take for you to leave the San Jose Airport after your plane lands. And the risk of a major slowdown, especially on I-580, is high – even during a weekday early in the afternoon. And one more tip – since you'll be traveling with your sons, to save time at the airport you should go fetch the rental car simultaneously as your sons head over and wait for any checked baggage at the baggage claim carousels.

Since Caltrans has finally completed the I-580 - Isabel Avenue interchange, I now take Hwy 84 almost exclusively. Based on my estimates, I usually save between three to five minutes taking Hwy 84 than staying on I-580 & I-680 (depending on how many lights I hit on Isabel Avenue (Hwy 84)). But as you say, it's a far more scenic route, especially through Vallecitos Valley, and as you noted, you'll avoid in slowdowns near the I-580/680 interchange.

Still, of the last three times I've gone to Yosemite via I-580 on a weekday afternoon (usually around noontime), two times there's been a freaking accident on Altamont Pass. What's with Altamont pass and accidents? At least the last time I had my GPS on and it warned me about the pending slowdown so I was able go on Altamont Pass Road in time to avoid most of the slowdown.

Thanks for the great tips. Google maps sent me on 84 up to I-580 at Isabel Avenue. Is there any advantage of going east of Livermore and joining 580 at Altamont Pass Road (or later east?) We're actually arriving on 2 flights (Raleigh and Miami) with the earlier flight at 11am. So I do plan to have the rental car ready when the 11:45 flight lands and he collects his baggage. Big 5 is a ?? store? Grocery? Outfitter?

The only reason to take Altamont Pass Road would be if some idiot wrecks on 580 over the pass causing traffic to back up into Livermore. KCBS (AM 740) has traffic reports every 10 minutes, there's also this cool website: SigAlert.com SF. Big 5's a basic sporting goods chain, they're not the greatest but as long as they have what you need...

I'm liking the Oakdale Big 5 suggestion (having never had cause to go there myself, so I'm assuming they have what you need, you could call to make sure). Given your landing time, I think being able to get out of the Bay Area Commuter Hell as fast as possible (i.e.: get past Tracy before stopping) would help a lot.

QuoteBigR
Thanks for the great tips. Google maps sent me on 84 up to I-580 at Isabel Avenue. Is there any advantage of going east of Livermore and joining 580 at Altamont Pass Road (or later east?) We're actually arriving on 2 flights (Raleigh and Miami) with the earlier flight at 11am. So I do plan to have the rental car ready when the 11:45 flight lands and he collects his baggage. Big 5 is a ?? store? Grocery? Outfitter?

QuoteBigR
Thanks for the great tips. Google maps sent me on 84 up to I-580 at Isabel Avenue. Is there any advantage of going east of Livermore and joining 580 at Altamont Pass Road (or later east?) We're actually arriving on 2 flights (Raleigh and Miami) with the earlier flight at 11am. So I do plan to have the rental car ready when the 11:45 flight lands and he collects his baggage. Big 5 is a ?? store? Grocery? Outfitter?

There's a Del Taco and a gas station all right at this location...dump kid off at Big 5... drive 2 seconds... fill up with gas...go get kid with fuel... drive thru Del Taco and grab some Tacos...Done. 10 minutes tops.

I would not doubt that taking 87 SOUTH to 280 (which turns to 680)would be faster than what you are going to go... out of the airportyou zip right on 87 without any stop lights or anything really...The interchange I spoke of 580/680 is only bad coming BACK to SJso taking 84 is optional and questionable if you will save time.

Worse case scenario... planes are late and all that jazz... I'd have somesort of worse case scenario plan .... what to do if you don't get into thepark by the time Hetch Hetchy closes... what other options you may like.Although, to be honest, it seems no one goes there with backup plans.(drives me completely bonkers waiting for Joe Blow to plan on thefly... and ask if blah blah blah is nice) (the answer is YES)

If you're going to stop anywhere during the trip this would be a good spot. Most anything you might need should be within that 1/4 mile of road or so.supermarketsubwayburger kingmcdonaldsdel tacojack-in-the-boxtaco belldennysbig 5radio shacksupermarketarco gas stationmotelsetc.

This is the last bit of civilization on the way in, and the first on the way out, on 120.

The interchange I spoke of 580/680 is only bad coming BACK to SJso taking 84 is optional and questionable if you will save time.

Nope. There's often a slowdown on I-580 eastbound just east of the I-680 interchange for several miles, simply the result of seven lanes of thru traffic being winnowed down to five (one being an HOV lane).

I used to work in Livermore for a number of years. Did this reverse commute daily. Still travel through the Tri-Valley area often enough to know that this part of I-580 can clog up during any hour of a weekday in either direction..

The interchange I spoke of 580/680 is only bad coming BACK to SJso taking 84 is optional and questionable if you will save time.

Nope. There's often a slowdown on I-580 eastbound just east of the I-680 interchange for several miles, simply the result of seven lanes of thru traffic being winnowed down to five (one being an HOV lane).

I used to work in Livermore for a number of years. Did this reverse commute daily. Still travel through the Tri-Valley area often enough to know that this part of I-580 can clog up during any hour of a weekday in either direction..

Reread what you just wrote. You just confirmed what I said.

By bad I mean it's a PITA.

I'm surprised no one has said to stay the heck off of 880.

Pretty much if 84 is backed up he's screwed and is too late.The last time I left after 2pm... was the last time I ever left after 2pm.Been thru that hell too many times on a Friday and finally wised up.Leave by noon... or just do what I do... get ur butt up at 4am and getout of town by 5 and be hiking by 10am.

I thought I did pretty well on Sunday last week. I left Concord at 4pm and was on the Eleanor Lake trailhead by 715pm. That being said, Fridays are rough although if he can be on the road by 1230pm he should be okay.

I'm leaving after I get off work this morning at 5am to head up. I love it, midweek and early...all the traffic is going the opposite way.

I almost always stop at Cook's Meadow and take a picture. I think I'll stop here more often.

Sorry, but it just does not get old. It just doesn't. Actually sat here for 15 minutes enjoying...

Valley View is almost always a mandatory last stop in Yosemite Valley before I head on home. And I'll snap at least several photos while stopped there though I must have by now at least 1000 photos from the exact same spot. I do appreciate that a couple of years ago the Park Service did trim (or maybe removed) some of the taller pines that were obstructing the view of Half Dome from the Valley View pullout (though I don't know how many other visitors of this scenic vista appreciate that or even notice that one can now, again, view Half Dome from this wonderfully scenic pullout..

Quoteplawrence
...I do appreciate that a couple of years ago the Park Service did trim (or maybe removed) some of the taller pines that were obstructing the view of Half Dome from the Valley View pullout (though I don't know how many other visitors of this scenic vista appreciate that or even notice that one can now, again, view Half Dome from this wonderfully scenic pullout..

Actually twas right on this board a few years ago before they made the public decision to get rid of those blocking trees that there was a heated thread about how YNP had a right to cut them down. (Not pines but rather I vaguely recall willow?) Ditto for a similar thread for what they did up at Tunnel View where they did saw away some young pines. At first there were a number of predictable posts critical of any cutting. I crafted a point by point post arguing the logic to remove them and there was not much posted after that.

You really don't notice the difference in the number of evergreen trees in the background between your two photos?

You took your 2006 photo at the far right end (the southend) of the pullout, somewhere near the 1997 flood high water mark sign. That used to be the only location where Half Dome could be viewed at Valley View before the Park Service removed one of the evergreen trees.

Compare those evergreen trees that are just to the left of Half Dome in your 2006 photo with those in your 2012 photo. Don't you notice that a tree is missing in your 2012 photo?

North Dome Gully... I haven't... when I was atop North this past weekend enjoyingmy Boy'R'Dee... two climbers came up... and ended up talking to them forabout 1/2 hr. Pretty much they said ND Gully is very scary and you caneasily make a wrong turn. Def. Class 4. Actually was planning on going toWash Col. and top of Royal Arch Cascade... guess that would make it easier...I ended up lazing out and just hanging atop North and Basket for half the day instead.

Quotechick-on
. . . snip . . .North Dome Gully... I haven't... when I was atop North this past weekend enjoyingmy Boy'R'Dee... two climbers came up... and ended up talking to them forabout 1/2 hr. Pretty much they said ND Gully is very scary and you caneasily make a wrong turn. Def. Class 4. . . . snip . . .

If you're where you're supposed to be in NDG it's no more that class 2.

If they were in class 4, then they were off trail. It's pretty easy to get off trail and in BIG trouble there.Climbers will top out on Washington Column and try to go down NDG in the dark. If you've never gone up or down it, and don't know where to go, you can easily get ledged or fall off a cliff in the dark. You can't easily tell in the dark how far east the gully is before you head down, and it's sheer cliffs below you on the way to the gully. Once you're out of the gully and on the slabs below you have to lateral to the west, again with cliffs below you. If you miss either of these because you can't see them in the dark, you're in trouble.There's been quite a few SAR activities there, and a few deaths also.

Thanks. I was a bit surprised by what they said. Typically people will just say"piece of cake". Def. not to be taken lightly though.... it's one spot where rangerswill NOT knock over cairns... b/c it's what you said... you have to turn atcertain spots.Anything I say is just what I have heard... since I hope I've made it clear I haven't gone up or down it.Thx

Quotechick-on
Somebody photoshop Twinkies in those kids hands! What they gave them will scar them for life."

Awww man, you beat me to that sentiment! No wonder Hostess Brands is in danger of bankruptcy!Someone introduce these kids to the joys of a Twinkie or Ding-Dong!

Myself, there is nothing like a Hostess fruit pie with my single malt scotch around the campfireat night while camping in the Valley!

plawrence, thank you for the link, sounds like a nice remodel, although after shopping here forthe better part of 20 years, it also sounds like I'll have to get used to the new layout. Vegetables inthe front of the store, what's the world coming to?! Shouldn't this all have been part of the MercedRiver Plan, where was the public input on moving vegetables to the front of the store?!

The store has a much more opened look now but I found the color choices odd. I was impressed with the organic fruits and veggies but I have to admit that I did not look at the prices and wonder how they are. I couldn't find the twinkie section. Actually, I had a hard time finding other things but will get used to the setup eventually.